You can link your TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines during booking or after you have already purchased a ticket

American Airlines does not issue TSA PreCheck itself — that comes from the Transportation Security Administration. What American Airlines does is let you store your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your frequent flyer profile so the airline automatically includes it on your boarding pass. This step takes a few minutes and saves you from typing it in every time you book.

You can add your TSA PreCheck number before you book a flight, or you can add it to a reservation you have already made. Either way, once it is in your American Airlines profile, the airline will use it on future bookings unless you remove it.

Key Takeaways

  • Your TSA PreCheck number is a 10-digit Known Traveler Number (KTN) that you receive when you enroll with TSA, not something American Airlines provides.
  • You can add your KTN to your American Airlines AAdvantage profile online, by phone, or at the airport, and it will appear on all future boarding passes.
  • If you have already booked a flight without your KTN, you can add it to that specific reservation through your booking confirmation.
  • American Airlines will not charge you to link your TSA PreCheck number to your account — the fee you paid was to TSA when you enrolled.

Add TSA PreCheck to your AAdvantage profile online

Log into your American Airlines AAdvantage account at aa.com. Go to your profile settings — this is usually under "My Account" or "Profile" in the top menu. Look for a section called "Traveler Information," "Known Traveler Number," or "TSA PreCheck." The exact label varies depending on when American Airlines last updated the website.

Enter your 10-digit Known Traveler Number in the field provided. This is the number TSA sent you when you completed your PreCheck enrollment. Save the changes. Once you do, American Airlines will include your KTN on every boarding pass you print or receive by email, starting with your next flight.

If you cannot find the field on the website, try searching the page for "KTN" or "Known Traveler" — some browsers' find function (Ctrl+F on Windows, Command+F on Mac) can help you locate it faster.

Add TSA PreCheck to an existing reservation

If you have already booked a flight and did not include your TSA PreCheck number, you can still add it. Go to aa.com and select "Manage My Booking." Enter your confirmation number and last name. Once your reservation appears, look for an option to edit traveler information or add a Known Traveler Number.

Enter your 10-digit KTN and save. American Airlines will reissue your boarding pass with the number included. If you have already checked in online or at the airport, you may need to request a new boarding pass at the airport counter or kiosk to see the updated version, though some airports can update it in the system without a reprint.

Add TSA PreCheck by phone or at the airport

Call American Airlines reservations at 800-433-7300 and tell the agent you want to add your Known Traveler Number to your profile or to a specific reservation. Have your 10-digit KTN ready. The agent will add it to your AAdvantage account or to your booking, and it will appear on your next boarding pass.

If you are already at the airport and realize your KTN is not on your boarding pass, go to the American Airlines ticket counter or a self-service kiosk. Staff can add your number to your reservation and print a new boarding pass on the spot. This takes just a few minutes.

What happens after you add your number

Once your TSA PreCheck number is in your American Airlines profile, the airline will print it on your boarding pass for every flight you book going forward. At security, TSA officers will see your KTN and direct you to the PreCheck lane, where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through screening faster.

Your KTN stays in your profile until you remove it. If you let your TSA PreCheck enrollment expire or you decide to take it off your account, log back into your profile and delete the number from the Known Traveler field.

If your TSA PreCheck number is not appearing on your boarding pass

Sometimes the number is in your profile but does not show up on your boarding pass. This usually happens if you booked through a third-party website (like Expedia or Kayak) instead of directly through American Airlines. Third-party sites do not always pull information from your airline profile.

If you booked through a third party, log into your American Airlines account, go to "Manage My Booking," and add your KTN there. You can also call American Airlines reservations and ask an agent to add it to your reservation. Once it is in the American Airlines system, your next boarding pass should include it.

Another reason the number might not appear is if you booked under a slightly different name than what is registered with TSA. Make sure the name on your reservation matches exactly — first name, middle initial if you have one, and last name — with the name on your TSA PreCheck enrollment. If there is a mismatch, contact American Airlines to correct it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need TSA PreCheck before I add it to my American Airlines account?

Yes. American Airlines only stores your number; TSA issues the actual PreCheck enrollment. You must enroll with TSA first at tsa.gov/precheck, pay the enrollment fee, and receive your 10-digit Known Traveler Number. Then you can add that number to your airline account.

Will adding my TSA PreCheck number to American Airlines cost me anything?

No. American Airlines does not charge you to link your number to your account. The fee you paid was to TSA when you enrolled in the PreCheck program itself. Adding it to your airline profile is free.

Can I use the same TSA PreCheck number on other airlines?

Yes. Your Known Traveler Number works with every airline. You can add it to your profiles with United, Delta, Southwest, and any other carrier. TSA PreCheck is not airline-specific — it is a TSA program that all airlines recognize.

What if I do not have my TSA PreCheck number?

Check the approval email TSA sent you when you completed enrollment — the KTN is in that message. You can also log into your TSA PreCheck account at tsa.gov/precheck to view your number. If you cannot find it, contact TSA directly through their website.

Can I add TSA PreCheck to my reservation if I am traveling with family members?

Yes, but each person needs their own TSA PreCheck enrollment and their own 10-digit KTN. Add each family member's number to their own name in the reservation. Children can enroll in TSA PreCheck, though the process and fee may differ from adult enrollment — check tsa.gov for details on children's PreCheck.